This time around last year I had the
privilege to be chosen out of all 100+ Westminster scholars to speak at the GOATS alumni reunion. This was also
where I would speak for those who reviewed the 2000+ applicants from all over
the world for a place in the most diverse city in the world-London! When Peter
Anwyl, the CEO of the International Student House, a great believer in traveling and seeing the
world and a love for old cars asked me to speak I was excited. I also knew that most of the people who
will be present included those of influence,position and a giving heart. There were previous students who, like me
received a scholarship after the establishment of International Student's House ISH right up to the present. This was also a group of people who directly
contributed generously to the ISH scholarship fund to enable students like me from
unknown places to study in London.
As I stood there in a ballroom full of
people, dressed for an audience with the queen I thought of my Samoa. I thought of my grandfather who fasted and prayed
so that I can get this scholarship, my father who smiled when I told him I was
chosen and my mother who dislikes long flights to be at a great place. I thought of my sister, Joanne who sacrifices
much of her life to help my parents so that her other siblings can do well in
university. I thought of my 5 siblings
who were still at university and making a way for themselves. I thought of how my speech will be received
and then I squeezed my nerves, said a small prayer in my head and watched as
the room slowly silenced. I present my unaltered speech .
Good evening everyone. When I was asked to speak tonight, I thought perhaps
it's because I have probably traveled the furthest out of all the scholars or maybe
because I come from a tropical island in the South Pacific and London needed
some sunshine!
Well, before I came to London all I heard about was the
depressing weather, the Queen, brilliant shopping and tea sessions. Since coming to UK, I
have been here-every week has had some sun, rain and wind. It has been a great
experience.
I come from Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa) the
first independent island of the South Pacific. It is mostly known for its
smallness (dot on the map) and our big rugby players. To go there from the UK,
I have to take 3 flights and about a total of 29-32 hours excluding transit
times. It costs around $1,200 to $2,000 pounds!! (there was a gasp from the audience) I came
to the UK last September on a “FULL International Students Scholarship” for
small islands to study the Masters of Science in Air Transport Planning and
Management at the University of Westminster.
Before that I studied in New Zealand flying planes hoping to
be a commercial pilot and graduated with an “aviation management degree”. Aviation is still very much a male dominated
industry and I figured ‘Why would I want to be another driver when I can be the
boss of the drivers”!(Numerous people laughed at this one) As far as I know, I am the only
person from my country with this degree. After completing that in 2008, I was
offered a job to stay on in New Zealand but I refused because I really wanted
to work for my people and to really learn about aviation. Sure the salaries are
low but the reward is great!
At the time I didn’t even know if we had an aviation
department apart from the airport and airlines. I worked at the International
Airport as their first Research & Training Officer providing training
advice and research for over 200 employees. Then I shifted to the Civil Aviation
Authority working as the Aviation licensing and Certification officer. I worked
there for about 3 months when I won a full scholarship for postgrad studies at
the Singapore Aviation Academy, considered one of the top aviation schools in
Asia. A program which usually takes one year but with hard work, faith and
perseverance I completed it within 3 months, receiving the Distinction award.
When I returned home, I was instantly promoted to become the youngest head of
the licensing Unit overlooking all certification and licenses in aviation
operations.
Most of you might wonder that Samoa probably has 2 flights a
month and therefore doesn’t have much going on. We should be basking in the
sunshine, on the beach in our grass skirts and leave development to the bigger
countries. This is a popular perception but as a small island with a population
of only 180,000 people receiving more than 100,000 visitors a year that is
quite an achievement considering our remoteness and our economic status. Tourism is one of our leading industries but
it cannot grow in the absence of air services.
This is why I am here, to learn more about aviation and how to develop
it. Although our operations are nothing compared to the numbers in UK, we are a
member to the International Civil Aviation Organisation and therefore have
exactly the same governing regulations and compliances as the rest of the world.
Our resources are few, our people are not qualified, the education systems are
flawed but that is why we seek greater opportunities like these scholarships
because without them I would not be here. The UK qualifications are regarded as
having the highest standards in the Pacific, before NZ and Australian as well
as US degrees. I can count on one hand the number of people I know from my
country who have studied in the UK.
I am thankful that I was not overlooked because of where I
am from but rather it is the smallness of my island that has allowed me to be
selected. Even within Samoa there is corruption, a lot of politics and I am so
grateful that the selection process is solely in the hands of UK University
boards and communities such as you: International Students house. I can
guarantee, if it was left up to my government, the people who really deserve
these scholarships will be overlooked and they will go to people with political
connections or those affiliated in similar groups. So Thank you.
This scholarship has been a stepping-stone to greater things
as I aim to be instrumental in the development of the aviation industry in
Samoa. We are allowed to dream, to overcome great challenges in life and
ultimately to help each other . I hope there will be more scholarships for more
people to study in the UK especially for very specialized studies like mine.
Together, we may be ordinary individuals but cooperation between ordinary
people can achieve extraordinary feats. As you go home this evening and wonder
about the nice night we’ve had, please remember those like me..who will never
be able to further our accomplishments
without your support. As I end my studies next month, I leave knowing that UK
does have something great to offer, apart from cultures and sights, the people
who I have connected to here make the experience memorable. So thank you.
When I said the last words,
a large applause went around the room. I did not expect that at all. I expected a few nods and perhaps one of the
Lords/Earls nodding off. Afterwards they
commended me on my speech and some of the alumni family came up and said they were inspired to donate more to the scholarship funds. There were moments in that speech where I was
emotional and my voice fluctuated but my hands were steady. As I re-read this speech, I am happy to say
that I set out what I promised to do. I
promised to study hard and came home with honours, to enjoy London with several trips to Belgium and Paris. I also vowed to make friends and to return home upon completion of the scholarship and above all to be
instrumental in the aviation industry. I am currently the Oceania/Pacific GOATS ambassador and will be happy to provide information about how to study in London.
